The annual meeting of the Bethel Cemetery Association will be 7 p.m. April 21 at the Bethel Lutheran Church, South Long Lake, Brainerd. Coffee will follow the meeting.

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■ Nisswn Legion events

NISSWA — Nisswa American Legion’s Friday night dinner of prime rib or pan fried walleye will be served from 5-7 p.m. Cost: $14.95.

The Nisswa Auxiliary Easter egg hunt will be 10 a.m. April 19.

■ DAV and DAVA meetings

The monthly meeting for the DAV and DAVA Crow Wing County Chapter No. 22 will be Thursday at the Brainerd VFW Club. Chapter 22 officers’ meeting will begin at 6 p.m. The membership meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

Anyone interested in joining any of the bridge games can contact Jim Thompson at 543-4688. Anyone interested in joining the bridge game at the Crosslake Community Center, call the Center at 692-4271.

■ Nisswa Women’s Club

The Nisswa Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting Thursday beginning with a social time at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon with the program to follow at Timbermist, located at 19624 County Road 3 in Brainerd. The program will be “Creative Travels Off the Beaten Path” (Where in the World is She Now?) presented by Kate Carlson. Luann Rice will share the Inspirational. Hostesses for the meeting will be Elaine Johnson, Judy Saari, Cindy Sandberg, Becky Stover and Marilyn Wottreng.

■ Weight loss

surgery seminars

A free, informational seminar about weight loss surgery will be offered by Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIMIS) surgeons and health professionals from 6-8 p.m. April 21 at Heartwood Senior Living Community, 500 Heartwood Drive, Crosby, and from 6-8 p.m. April 24 at Baxter Medical Clinic, 13205 Isle Drive in Baxter (behind Walmart). For more information or to register call the MIMIS Specialty Clinic in Crosby at 218-546-4343 or toll free at 888-546-4343. Learn more about the MIMIS weight loss program at www.mimis-weightloss.com.

■ Weight loss support groups

CROSBY — Pre- and post-surgical weight loss surgery patients are invited to come together to talk, share experiences and provide emotional support to one another at a free meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Heartwood Senior Living Community, 500 Heartwood Drive, Crosby. View the full schedule at cuyunamed.org events and classes page. Registration is appreciated but not required. Call 218-546-7000 or 888-487-6437 for more information.

■ Childbirth classes

CROSBY — A free series of childbirth preparation classes taught by Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s Birthing Center nurses will be held in May at Heartwood Senior Living Community, located at 500 Heartwood Drive in Crosby. Classes are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. May 8, 15, 22 and 29. Women must register by the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. For more information, call 218-546-4350.

■ Annual luncheon and fashion show

The Nisswa Women’s Club cordially invites all women of the Brainerd lakes area to attend our 31st Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. The event is scheduled for May 27 at Madden’s Town Hall. Social Hour and raffle begin at 10:30 a.m. with the luncheon at noon and the fashion show at 1 p.m. Styles will be coordinated by 12 area merchants and once again Tess Taylor and Ken Thomas of WJJY’s “The Wake Up” show will emcee the event.

Proceeds from this event provide local scholarship funds for area men and women high school students, returning women students to Central Lakes College and local community services.

BAXTER — The Baxter Lions Club will meet Monday at Camp Vanasek. The board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m. The 5M9 Governor Don Hendrickx will be attending and installing the new officers.

■ Class of 1957

Class of 1957 will meet 11 a.m. April 22 at Northwind Grille for lunch.

■ Backus Legion fish fry

BACKUS — An all-you-can-eat fish fry will be served from 5 p.m. until gone Friday at the Backus American Legion. Cost: $8 a plate. The clubrooms are located near the intersection of Highways 371 and 87 West.

■ Genealogy

conference planned

BAXTER — The Brainerd Public Library will be holding a free genealogy conference from 1-4:30 p.m. April 26 at the Forestview Middle School, Baxter. The conference will include information on Minnesota Historical Society Resources, Minnesota Reflections’ digital collections and beyond online resources. To register for this Minnesota Legacy funded conference call the library at 829-5574.

■ Pinetree Patchworkers

Pinetree Patchworkers will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Joy Fetting, owner of Red Pine Quilt shop, will present at the meeting.

■ Pet bird owners

get together

All area pet bird owners are welcome to a get together at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Oak Lawn Township Hall which is located one mile east of the intersection of Highways 18 and 25 in Brainerd.

The Crow Wing County Historical Society Board of Directors will meet 3 p.m. Tuesday at the museum. For those who want to be added to the agenda, call Pam at 829-3268 or e-mail her at Pamela.Nelson@crowwing.us.

■ WHS class of 1954

The Washington High School class of 1954 will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Grizzly’s.

■ Brainerd American Legion upcoming events

The 40 et 8 will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Legion. The Legion Riders will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday. A chicken alfredo dinner will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Legion.

WHS class of 1944 will meet 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Northwind Grille.

■ Brainerd Eagles

Club breakfast

Brainerd Eagles Club breakfast will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, 124 Front St., Brainerd, featuring the Eagles special for $7.

■ VFW events

The menu for the VFW Friday dinner is a 1/2 pound burger for $3 plus fries or the regular bar menu serving at 5:30 p.m. at the VFW.

Sunday breakfast serving a full menu from 8 a.m. to noon April 20 at the VFW. Cost: $6.

■ Living Local Expo planned

CROSBY — Living Local Expo will be from 3-7 p.m. April 25 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at the Hallett Center of Crosby.

There will be a Friday night wine tasting, hosted by Maucieri’s Italian Bistro, Bar and Deli. On April 26, there will be educational speakers and breakout sessions, a style show, entertainment, retail sales and food vendors. Educational speakers include History Never Gets Old, Wild and Free and Hi Hoe Hi Ho, Tunnel We Will Go.

Remember to enter the beautiful baby contest and register to win a Grand Casino package and WeFest tickets. Admission is free.

NISSWA — The Nisswa Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 12:30 p.m. April 24 at the Nisswa Community Center in Nisswa. Note the change in location for this month. Social hour and check-in will begin at noon. Lunch will be served by Ernie’s Restaurant at 12:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting.

The program entitled “Flowering Shrubs for Spring Bloom” will be presented by Loren Pauley of The Treehouse. Coordinator is Dan Klein. Hosts are Marie and Charlie Boudrye. Information on the May 31 plant sale will be provided.

Senior dances will be from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Brainerd Blue Room with music by Country Ramblers; 3 p.m. Thursday at the Pierz Senior Center with music by Social Security Express; and from 1-4 p.m. Friday at the Deerwood Legion with music by Jerry’s Dance Band.

■ Alpha Chapter No. 23 OES

Alpha Chapter No. 23 OES will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Northwind Grille for dinner. Meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Masonic Hall, 205 1/2 South Sixth St., Brainerd. Installation and formal wear. Call Gayle at 829-8656 or Margaret at 829-9767 for more information or rides.

■ Easter egg hunt planned

EMILY — There will be an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. April 19 at the Emily City Hall/Community Center, formerly Emily School, Highway 6 in Emily. There will be three age groups: 2-4, 5-7 and 8-10. Children should bring their own bags for collecting eggs.

The event is sponsored by the Lions. Call Donna Jones for more information at 218-763-2255 or 218-820-4817.

■ Class of 1962 mini reunion

The class of 1962 will have lunch and a mini reunion at noon Thursday at Hassie’s. For questions, call 963-6050.

■ Pregnant Girls’ Night Out

PINE RIVER — Bites and Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 will host a free Pregnant Girls’ Night Out from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at Bites Grill and Bar. For more information, call 829-8538. The event is sponsored by Bites, Brainerd Elks and Brainerd Lakes Area Healthy Brains for Children.

■ Christmas for Kids fundraiser planned

NISSWA — A fundraiser for Christmas For Kids will be held from 4:30-7:30 p.m. April 24 at Wendy’s in Nisswa. Christmas For Kids is an area organization that helps people in need at Christmastime. At the Christmas For Kids Community Night on April 24, Wendy’s will offer a free Frosty treat for every toy donation and there will be a drop box available. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of food sales during the designated time to the Christmas For Kids organization.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as Wendy, will be there. There will be children’s activities, including face painting. Nisswa fire trucks and police cars, as well as firefighters and police officers, will be in the parking lot for kids to check out. The Nisswa American Legion Color Guard will help as well.

I've worked at the Brainerd Dispatch with various duties since Dec. 7, 1983. Starting off as an Ad Designer and currently Director of Audience Development. The Dispatch has been an interesting and challenging place to work. I'm fortunate to have made many friends, both co-workers and customers.